New Illinois laws crack down on repeat methamphetamine offenders

New laws which are designed to crack down on repeat methamphetamine offenders and to strengthen the Illinois DNA database are among the measures initiated by Attorney General Lisa Madigan in the 2011 legislative session that took effect Sunday, Jan. 1.

House Bill 1908 requires that repeat meth offenders must have a prescription to purchase or possess products containing pseudoephedrine, a key meth ingredient.

The law targets the rise of “small-batch” cooks who obtain small, legal amounts of ingredients to make meth for their own use or a quick sale.

House Bill 3238 will significantly strengthen the state’s DNA database by requiring all sex offenders registered in Illinois to provide DNA specimen, regardless of their conviction date or the state in which they were convicted.

The measure also requires DNA collection from offenders arrested for the most serious violent crimes after they are indicted or after a court finding of probable cause.

The law will strengthen authorities’ ability to identify and convict offenders of egregious crimes and increase their ability to avoid wrongful convictions.

House Bill 3237 amends the Prevailing Wage Act to make violations a felony and to prohibit those with criminal convictions from working on taxpayer-funded public projects for a period of four years.

The new changes should increase enforcement and, as a result, bring about greater compliance and help to prevent fraud on public bodies, Madigan said.

Senate Bill 2027 broadens the definition of the crime of forgery to include various ways a document can be altered to ensure individuals who create such documents cannot escape criminal liability.